GB2130417A

GB2130417A - Compact sign and stand

Info

Publication number: GB2130417A
Application number: GB08327788A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Ralph Seely; Cecil Earl Ursprung
Original assignee: Marketing Displays Inc
Current assignee: Marketing Displays Inc
Priority date: 1982-11-17
Filing date: 1983-10-18
Publication date: 1984-05-31
Also published as: GB8327788D0; SE8306303L; GB2130417B; SE456328B; FR2536193B1; AU554809B2; DE3341621A1; US4548379A; AU2246483A; SE8306303D0; FR2536193A1; DE3341621C2

Description

1 GB 2 130 417 A 1

SPECIFICATION

Compact sign and stand The present invention relates to signs and stand devices for displaying warnings or other pertinent information, particularly in emergency situations.

The invention more specifically relates to such signs and stand devices that are light-weight and may be folded or retracted into a compact structure for 75 transportation or storage.

Compact, light-weight, easily portable and easily assemblable warning devices are a necessityfor emergency use. At accident scenes, for example, police and other emergency vehicles need to provide a warning to other traff ic approaching the accident, slow that traff ic down, and direct it safely around the accident site. The warning devices should be small enough to fit easily in the emergency vehicle without taking up too much space and yet be large enough in use to be seen easily by other motorists. It is also imperative that the warning devices be usable at all times regardless of weather conditions. For obvious safety reasons, the warning devices should not blow over or slide to undesired locations (such as into traffic) in high winds.

The ability of the emergency warning device to be sufficiently large in use to be readily visible to oncoming motorists is an especially important con sideration. Vehicles arriving at or passing by an 95 accident or emergency site create an extremely dangerous hazard to emergency and accident per sonnel at the scene, as well as to the emergency vehicles parked nearby. As to the latter point, a large number of police vehicles are stuck and damaged each year at accident sites by approaching cars and other vehicles which were not adequately warned about the accident ahead of them.

Numerous sign stands are known today which are used for supporting various signs for providing 105 messages, warnings, advertisements, or other perti nent information to the public, particularly along construction sites or at business establishments.

These signs are typically positioned on sign stan dards that are either anchored in the ground, held in 110 place by sandbags or other heavy objects, or spring-mounted on bases which allow them to bend or deflect, without tipping over, under high wind forces. Spring-mounted sign stands which can be used for this purpose are shown in United States Patents Nos. 3,646,696; 3,662,482; 4,033,536; 4,265,040; and 4,288,053; as well as in two copend ing patent applications entitled "Improved Sign Bracket", and "Improved Deflectable Sign And Stand", filed on the same date as the present application, and in a previously-filed copending patent application, Serial No. 274,400, filed June 17, 1981, all three of said copending applications being assigned to the same assignee as the invention herein. Such spring-mounted sign stands, although they are unanchored, transportable and capable of use regardless of weather conditions, are relatively large in size and would take up too much space in emergency vehicles. Also, known sign stands have sign mounting mechanisms which are not necessari- ly designed for the immediate and simple mounting needed in emergency- type situations.

Typically, the signs commonly used at construction sites are made of metal or wood and are bulky and heavy. As a result, such signs are not well-suited for compact storage and transportation, such as in a police or other emergency vehicle. In order to provide a lighter and more easily transportable display, signs have been developed which are made out of a heavy-duty flexible material, such as reinforced cloth, vinyl, or plastic. Such signs are lighter and easier to handle than the prior metal or wood signs and are also typically adapted to be rolled-up or folded-up for ease of transportation and storage. These roll-up signs typically have one or more substantially rigid cross-braces to hold them in their fully extended configurations, with brackets or other mounting means on the sign stands for holding the signs in place. Many of the brackets presently in use for mounting or attaching such signs to the sign stands, however, are often difficult and time-consuming to operate, and typically are relatively heavy and bulky, thereby making them inconvenient for use with emergency vehicles. For emergency use, it is often necessary that the warning devices be adapted to be set up and made operational with as little difficulty and as quickly as possible.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved lightweight, foldable and compact sign stand for holding and securing signs thereto, thereby facilitating the convenient storage and transportation of the sign and stand components. It is a further object to provide a sign stand that has the particular capability of quick and easy mounting or attachment of a roll- up or other flexible-type sign on the frame member of the sign stand.

In accordance with the invention, a sign stand for a sign having a flexible sign panel and a sign mounting member or cross-brace thereon generally includes a base, an upstanding frame member, means for connecting the frame memberto the base, and means for attaching the sign's mounting memberto the frame member. The stand base preferably includes a plurality of telescoping legs or other ground-engaging means that may be selectively retracted into a shortened configuration or extended into an elongated configuration. The legs are also pivotally attached to the stand base assembly so that they may be folded upwardly to a position generally adjacent and parallel to the frame member for transportation or storage or folded downwardly to a ground-engaging position generally perpendicular to the frame member. Preferably, theframe member and base, when combined, are approximately the same length as the shortened legs so that when retracted and folded upwardly, the legs form a compact package with the frame and base for ease and convenience of storage.

The upstanding frame member preferably includes means for being resiliently deflected, relative to the base assembly, generally along a predetermined plane in response to wind forces which are generally directed transverse to the plane of the sign panel. The sign attachment means in the preferred 2 GB 2 130 417 A 2 embodiment is adapted to permit the sign panel to pivot or swing laterally about a generally vertical axis in response to side-wind forces directed gener ally parallel to the plane of a sign. Such pivotal or swinging movement of the sign panel allows the wind to produce a force on the sign panel generally transverse to the side-wind forces and allows the frame member to more easily pivotally def lect along the above-mentioned predetermined plane, thereby insuring against tipping over of the sign stand.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and claims taken in conjunc tion with the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a front view of a warning sign and stand.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side view of the base assembly portion of the sign and stand assembly 85 shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane of section line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane of section line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 4, but illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 4, but illustrating still another embodiment of 95 the present invention.

Figure 7 is a top view of the sign and stand assembly of the present invention, illustrating the lateral pivotal or swinging movement of the sign.

Figure 8 is a side view of the sign and stand assembly of the present invention, illustrating the frame member in a partially downward lydeflected position.

Detailed description of thepreferred embodiments

The drawings show merely exemplary embodiments of the preferred invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the principles of the invention are well-adapted for application to devices other than sign and stand assemblies as well as to sign and stand assemblies other than those shown in the drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates the invention in use near an accident scene for providing a warning to on-coming 115 motorists. A warning sign 10 is mounted or attached to a relatively short upright sign frame or pole 12, and the frame 12 is supported on the ground by a plurality of ground-engaging legs 14. A pair of coil springs 16 interconnect the frame 12 with a base assembly 17 and allow the sign 10 and frame 12 to deflect downwardly when subjected to wind forces and then to return to their normal upright positions shown in Figure 1. Spring-mounted sign stands which function as described above are disclosed in the above-mentioned United States Patents and copending applications. It should be understood, of course, thatthe sign attachment means described below may also be used with other types of sign stands or frame members, whether permanently anchored or portable, and whether spring-mounted or rigidly mounted.

The ground-engaging legs 14 are preferablytelescopic and include two sections, a smaller slidable section 24 slidably received within a larger sleevetype outer section 22. The slidable section 24 is adapted to sliclably extend and retract inside the sleeve-type section 22 so that the legs 14 may be extended to supportthe sign and stand assembly or may be retracted to approximately one-half their fully-extended length for ease and convenience of transportation and storage. Furthermore, as iHustrated in Figure 2, the legs 14 are pivotally attached to a base member 30 of the base assembly 17 by means of a pivot pin 32 extending therethrough. Thus, the legs 14 may be folded downwardly to a ground-engaging position generally to the frame 12 or upwardly to a folded position, indicated by reference numeral 14a, wherein the legs are generally adjacent and parallel to the frame 12. A springloaded locking pin 40 resiliently attached to the inner ends of the legs 14 may be inserted into upper apertures 34 on the base member 30 to retain the legs in their upwardly-folded position. Similarly, the locking pin 40 may be inserted in the lower apertures 36 in the base member 32 to retain the legs 14 in their downwardly-folded ground- engaging position. Preferably, the frame 12, the springs 16, and the base 17 should have a combined length approximately equal to the length of the legs 14 when they are retracted inwardly and folded upwardly adjacentthe frame 12, thereby facilitating ease and convenience of storage.

As is shown in Figure 3, the telescoping sections 100 22 and 24 of the legs 14 include detent means for releasably holding the legs in their outwardly or fully extended positions. Such detent means may cornprise any of a number of mechanisms well-known to those skilled in the art. An example of such a mechanism is illustrated by the preferred arrangement shown in Figure 3, wherein a bent and biased spring detent member 44 is resiliently inserted inside each of the leg sections 24. The detent member 44 has a protrusion 46 which is adapted to resiliently protrude through aperture 48 in the side wall of leg section 24 and to seat in a corresponding aperture 50 in the side wall of the leg section 22. At rest, that is when the slidable leg section 24 is in a ful ly retracted position inside the sleeve leg section 22, the outwardly- biased protrusion 46 rests against the inside surface of the leg section 22. When the leg section 24 is slidably extended from the leg section 22, the protrusion 46 slides in contact with such inner surface of leg section 22 until it mates with and protrudes partially into the aperture 50 adjacent the outer end of leg section 22. In this manner, the legs 14 can be "locked" in their fully- extended positions. As is evident from this description, the legs can be telescoped inwardly to form a compact package for storage and when needed can be quickly and easily extended to their full lengths for convenient set up and use of the sign stand.

The sign 10 includes a large flexible panel with a warning message or symbol on one side and a pair of cross-braces 11 and 13 pivotally attached to one k i- 3 GB 2 130 417 A 3 another on the other side. The cross-braces are made of a fiberglass or similar material, are relatively rigid in order to brace and support the flexible sign panel in its fully extended position, and yet are suff iciently flexible to be twisted to allow lateral movement of the sign as discussed hereinafter, As shown in Figure 1, the cross-brace 11 is situated in a horizontal position when the sign is mounted on the frame 12, while the other cross-brace 13 is vertically situated and retained by the frame 12 as described below. Any of several attaching means known in the art may be used to retain the corners of the sign at ends of the cross-braces 11 and 13 in order to erect the sign to its display configuration. When the sign 10 is removed from the frame member 12 and is to be taken down, at least two of the corners of the flexible sign panel material are detached from the ends of their corresponding cross-brace, and the cross-braces are pivoted to a generally parallel, mutually-aligned relationship. The flexible sign panel, which remains attached to one of the crossbraces, may then be folded or rolled up around the mutually-aligned cross-braces for compact, convenient storage.

As is illustrated in Figures 4 through 6, the frame 12 is preferably an extruded member having a predetermined cross section. The frame 12 may be composed of any conventional material that is sturdy enough to be used for the purpose described herein, but is preferably composed of a metal, such 95 as light-weight extruded aluminium, for example.

Frames made from such extruded aluminum mate rial have provided very satisfactory performance.

The cross-sectional shape of the frame 12, as shown in Figure 4, includes a central support member 60 and a pair of symmetrical flanges 62 protruding in opposite directions on each end of the central support member 60. The outermosts ends of the flange members 62 each include a generally U-shaped channel 64. The channels 64 are identical, 105 but symmetrically opposite, and are each formed by a pair of generally parallel channel legs 66 intercon nected by a channel base 68. Preferably, in the embodiment shown Figure 4, the width of the space between the corresponding channel legs 66 is such 110 that the vertical cross-brace 13 may be slidably and interferingly inserted into the pair of channels 64 on either of the opposite sides of the frame 12 in order to be frictionally attached and retained therein. Such a symmetrically opposite sign attachment configura- 115 tion allows the warning sign 10 to be very quickly erected and attached to the frame 12 merely by frictionally inserting the vertical cross-brace 13 with in the pair of channels 64 on either of the identical sides of the frame 12. Therefore, no matter which of 120 the opposite sides of the frame is oriented toward on-coming traff ic when the stand is set-up, the user may quickly erect and display the warning sign without having to reorient the sign stand assembly.

Of course, it is also possible to, if desired, provide a 125 frame 12 with just one pair of channels 64 on only one side of the frame 12 in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to both Figures 1 and 4, it should be noted that only a relatively short portion of the lower 130 end of the vertical cross-brace 13 is inserted into, and frictionally engaged by, the frame 12. Thus enough of the cross-brace 13 is engaged by the frame 12 to securely mount the sign 10 thereon, but a relatively large vertical portion of the cross-brace 13 is left unsecured by the frame 12. Such unsecured portion of the cross-brace 13 is sufficiently long that it may resiliently and torsionally twist under the influence of side-directed wind loads as is explained more fully later in this description.

Because of the relative short length of the crossbrace 13 that is frictionally secured to the frame 12, a hitch pin 53 may optionally be attached to the frame 12 by a chain 55 for insertion through apertures 57 and 58 in the cross-brace 13 and the frame 12, respectively. Although use of such a hitch pin may not be necessary in most instances to insure retention of the cross-brace in the frame member channels, it may be deemed desirable or necessary in particular applications of the invention. If included on frame 12, however, the hitch pin 53 preferably includes a spring-loaded cletent means 59 at its free end for substantially preventing the hitch pin from vibrating loose or otherwise slipping or working free from its engagement with the cross-brace 13 and the frame 12. The hitch pin and its related apparatus are described in more detail below in connection with the discussion of Figure 5.

Preferably, the frame 12 also includes a pair of base attachment receptacles 52 on at least one side of the central support member 60. The base attachment receptacles 52 are preferably extruded integrally with the frame 12 and are adapted to receive fasteners 54 extending upwardly through an upper plate 56 for securing the frame 12 to the coil springs 16. The fasteners 54 are preferably self-tapping screws that threadably and frictionally engage the sides of the base attachment receptacles 52 and are long enough to adequately support the frame 12.

The coil springs 16 on the frame 12 provide a resilient connection between the frame and the base assembly 17 such that the frame 12 is resiliently deflectable generally along a predetermined plane, which is generally perpendicularto the plane of the sign 10 when the sign is in its normal orientation 80 as shown in Figure 7. In use during high wind forces, the spring mounted sign stands in accordance with the above- mentioned patents and copencling applications can deflect to a point where the plane of the sign is generally parallel to the ground. Regardless of the amount of deflection, the sign resiliently returns to its upright position when the wind forces subside.

In most cases during use, the deflection of the sign occurs in response to wind forces that are exerted on the sign in a direction generally transverse to the plane of the sign panel, such as those illustrated by reference numerals 91 or 91 a in Figure 7, for example. It should be understood, however, that such transversely-directed wind forces need not be exerted in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the sign when in its normal sign orientation 80 in orderto cause such deflection of the coil spring 16. It is sufficient merelythat such transversely-directed forces have enough of a force vector component in a 4 GB 2 130 417 A 4 direction perpendicular to the normal sign orienta tion 80 such that the coil springs 16 may be caused to deflect.

In orderto insure thatthe sign and stand assembly will remain stable in side-wind load situations, such as in response to second wind forces 92 or 92a exerted on the sign in a direction generally parallel to the normal sign orientation as shown in Figure 7, the frame 12 shown in Figure 8, and the alternate frames 12a and 12b, shown in Figures 5 and 6, and discussed below, include means for allowing the sign panel to pivot or swing laterally about a generally vertical axis. Such capability allows the pivoted sign to assume sign orientations such as those illustrated by reference numerals 81 and 82 in Figure 7, which in turn allow the stand to pivot and deflect along the above-mentioned predetermined plane as is more fully explained below.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 4, the capability of allowing the sign panel to pivot or swing laterally is provided by the abovediscussed unsecured portion of the cross-brace 13. Such unsecured portion is sufficiently long and suff iciently flexible to torsionally twist about a generally vertical axis in response to the sidedirected second wind forces 92 or 92a, for example. Such torsional twisting thus permits the sign panel to pivot laterally as shown in Figure 7. When the sign panel pivots or twists laterally about said generally vertical axis to a transverse orientation relative to such side-directed winds, the second wind forces, such as 92 or 92a, have a force vector component exerted in a sufficiently transverse direction against the sign panel such that the coil springs 16 may resiliently deflect the frame 12 along the abovedescribed predetermined plane, as shown in Figure 8. The length and flexibility of the unsecured portion of the cross-brace 13 should be sufficient to allow enough torsional twisting of the cross-brace to permit the sign panel to laterally pivot far enough to cause the coil springs 16 to deflect along such predetermined plane before the sign and stand assembly can tip over under the load of the second wind forces.

The exact range of lateral pivotal or swinging 110 motion of the sign 10 depends upon many factors such as sign size, height and weight and coil spring constants, for example. However, a range of lateral pivotal movement through a total arc 96 in Figure 7 of approximately 10-35 degrees, and most prefer ably approximately 15 degrees swing to either side of the normal sign orientation 80, has been found to provide satisfactory results. Either smaller or larger ranges of such pivotal sign movement may also be found to be sufficient or necessary in orderto provide satisfactory results, depending upon the particular physical constraints present and the parti cular application of the principles of the invention. It should be realized, however, that such pivotal or swinging movement should not be significantly greaterthan that necessaryto allow deflection of the frame 12 along the above-mentioned predetermined plane in order to prevent the sign from becoming oriented so far askew to oncoming traff ic that it cannot be read and observed by such traffic. 130 Referring to Figure 5, an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a stand frame 12a generally similar to the stand frame 12 shown in Figure 4 with the exceptions described below. As an alternative for the torsional twisting of the unsecured portion of the cross-brace 13, it is also possible to allowthe cross- brace to pivot or swing freely inside the channels 64a, i.e. without any frictional engagement. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the channels 64a are made sufficiently large to allow the vertical cross-brace 13 to slide easily into the channels without contacting the leg portions 66a in order to permit suff icient lateral pivoting of the cross-brace upon application of side-directed wind forces such as 92 and 92a, for example. In order to prevent the cross brace 13 from slipping out of the channel when the frame 12 is deflected (as shown in Figure 8), the hitch pin 53 is inserted through the aperture 58a in the cross-brace 13 and through the corresponding aperture 57a in the frame 12a. Similarto the embodiment shown in Figure 4 above, two channels 64a are preferably provided on opposite sides of the frame 12a so that the cross-brace 13 can be inserted in the properly- oriented side (facing the traffic) once the stand is set-up in place.

As discussed above, the hitch pin 53 has a spring-loaded cletent means 59, which comprises a spring-loaded ball or sphere resiliently attached to the free end of the hitch pin. This cletent means prevents the hitch pin from falling or slipping out of the apertures 58a and 57a after it is inserted in place. Thus, in orderto insert and remove the hitch pin 53, a force must be applied in the pin's axial direction.

Chain 55 is attached to the other end of the hitch pin and is in turn attached to the frame 12a in orderto prevent the hitch pin from being lost or misplaced.

Referring to Figure 6, still another alternate preferred embodiment of the invention includes a stand frame 12b. In this embodiment, the means for allowing lateral pivotal or swing sign movement is provided by channels 64b formed by the channel legs 66b and the interconnecting channel bases 68b, which have generally arcuate frame-engaging surfaces 70. The spaces between the channel legs 66b are suff iciently wider than the thickness of the cross-brace 13 to allow the cross-brace to pivot or swing, as discussed above, about a generally vertical axis as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. As is shown in Figure 6, however, the corner edges of the crossbrace 13 frictionally engage the arcuate surfaces 70 of the channels 64b to frictionally retain the crossbrace 13 and thus the sign 10 in an attached relationship with the frame 12a. Thus, the sign 10 may be attached to the frame 12b merely by slidably and frictionally inserting the vertical cross-brace 13 into the channels 64b on either of the opposite sides of the frame 12b such that the cross-brace 13 is frictionally retained therein. Such frictional engage- ment of the cross-brace 13 and the channel 64b is maintained even when the sign 10 pivots laterally about the above-mentioned vertical axis. The hitch pin 53, with its detent means 59 and chain 55 as discussed above, may also be employed in Figure 6 in connection with the apertures 57b and 58b, if p _i GB 2 130 417 A 5 deemed desirable or advantageous in order to assure retention of the sign.

When the sign panel pivots or swings laterally about said generally vertical axis to a transverse orientation relative to side-directed winds, as discussed above in connection with the embodiments of Figures 5 and 6, the second wind forces, such as 92 or 92a, have a force vector component exerted in a sufficiently transverse direction against the sign such that the coil springs 16 may resiliently deflect the frames 12a and 12b along the above-described predetermined plane, as shown in Figure 8. The width of the channels 64a and 64b, the distance between the channel bases 68a and 68b, and the spring constants of the coil springs 16 are selected such that sufficient lateral pivotal movement of the sign occurs to cause or allow the resultant deflection of the frame member to occur before the sign and stand assembly can tip over under the load of the second wind forces.

As was discussed above, the exact range of pivotal movement of the sign depends upon several factors such as sign size and weight and coil spring constants, for example. However a range of pivotal sign movement through a total arc 96 (shown in Figure 7) of approximately 10-35 degrees, and preferably approximately 15 degrees on either side of the normal sign orientation 80, has been found to provide satisfactory results. Either smaller or larger ranges of pivotal movement may also be sufficient to cause or allow the desired frame deflection, depending upon the particular physical conditions present and the particular application of the principles of the invention. It should be noted, however, thatthe arcuate surfaces 70 in Figure 6 preferably both fall upon an imaginary circle 72 (shown in Figure 6) which has a center located generally midway between the arcuate surfaces 70 and generally midway between the channel legs 66b. Such a configuration provides for the desired frictional engagement of the cross- brace 13 with the arcuate surfaces 70 while still allowing the requisite pivotal movement.

As shown and described above, the present invention provides a sign stand having the capability of simple, quick and easy attachment and removal of signs on the sign frame. The present invention also provides a sign attachment means that functions to minimize the possibility of the sign and stand assembly tipping over or sliding to undesired loca- 115 tions in high winds, no matter in which direction the forces of such winds are exerted.

The various parts of the sign and stand assembly are preferably made of aluminum, but may also be made of any other light-weight materials that are strong enough to withstand the forces to which such signs are normally exposed in use.

Although the present invention is described above as being usedforflexible or roll-up signs of diamond shapes, it is apparent that the invention may be employed with a wide variety of signs of different materials, rigid or soft and with signs of widely varying sizes and shapes. With rigid signs, however, a flange or protruding member at least functionally similar to the vertical cross-brace 13 should be 130 provided and should be adapted to be inserted as discussed above within the channels 64,64a or 64b on either of the opposite sides of the frames 12,12a or 12b, respectively. In the embodiment of Figure 4, however, such a flange or protruding member should have sufficient resilience and flexibility to allow the above-described torsional twisting of its unsecured portion. Also, in order to retain the compactness and relatively small size of the inven- tion for storage and transportation, such rigid signs should also be collapsible or foldable.

Claims

1. A sign and sign stand assembly, wherein said sign and stand includes a base, a frame member, connecting means for connecting said frame mem ber for securing said sign to said frame member, said base including a plurality of ground-engaging legs thereon, each of said legs being selectively retracted into a shortened configuration or extended into an elongated configuration, each of said legs further being pivotal between a first position generally parallel to said frame member and a second position generally perpendicular to said frame member, said base further including resilient biasing means for normally biasingly supporting said frame member in a generally vertical position, said resilient biasing means being resiliently yieldable to allow said frame member to pivotally deflect in a generally downward position in response to first predetermined forces exerted on said sign, said frame member and said base having a combined overall length approximately equal to the length of said legs when in said shortened configuration, said sign including a foldable panel and at least one crossbrace for supporting said foldable panel in a generally planar configuration, said attaching means including channel means on said frame member for receiving a portion of said cross-brace removably inserted therein in order to secure a portion of said cross-brace thereto, thereby displaying said sign on said sign stand.

2. A sign and sign stand assembly according to claim 1, wherein said frame member includes said channel means on at least a pair of opposite sides of said frame member, thereby allowing said sign to be selectively displayed on either of said opposite sides of said frame member.

3. A sign and sign stand assembly according to claim 1, wherein said portion of cross-brace is insertibly secured to said channel means of said frame member in an interfering frictional engagement therewith, said cross-brace being sufficiently flexible so that the unsecured portion of said crossbrace may be resiliently and torsionally twisted to allow said sign panel to pivotally swing laterally relative to a generally vertical axis in response to second predetermined forces exerted thereon.

4. A sign and sign stand assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a hitch pin member adapted to be inserted through an aperture in said cross-brace and through a corresponding aperture in said frame member in orderto retain said crossbrace in said channel means on said frame member.

6 GB 2 130 417 A 6

5. A sign and sign stand assembly according to claim 1, wherein said cross-brace is pivotal within said channel means on said frame member in order to allow said sign panel to pivotally swing laterally relative to a generally vertical axis in response to second predetermined forces exerted thereon.

6. A sign and sign stand assembly according to claim 5, further comprising a hitch pin member adapted to be inserted through an aperture in said cross-brace and through a corresponding aperture in 75 said frame member in order to retain said cross brace in said channel means on said frame member.

7. A stand for displaying a sign, said sign having a flexible sign panel and at least one cross-brace thereon, said stand comprising a stand base, an upstanding frame member, and connecting means for mounting said frame member on said stand base, said stand base including a plurality of ground engaging means, each of said ground-engaging means being selectively retractable into a shortened 85 configuration and selectively extendible into an elongated configuration, each of said ground engaging means further being pivotal between a first position generally parallel to said frame mem ber and a second position generally perpendicular to 90 said frame member, said frame member including sign attachment means for releasably attaching said cross-brace to said frame member in order to display said sign thereon, said connecting means including spring means for normally supporting said frame member in a generally vertical position, said spring means resiliently permitting said frame member to deflect relative to said stand base generally along a predetermined plane in response to first wind forces exerted generally transverse to the plane of said sign 100 when said sign is displayed on said frame member.

8. A stand according to claim 7, wherein said cross-brace is generally vertically disposed, said sign attachment means comprising at least a pair of spaced-apart generally aligned channels on said frame member, each of said channels having a generally U-shaped lateral cross-section, said U shaped channels being adapted to receive a portion of said cross-brace insertably secured between both of said U-shaped channels.

9. A stand according to claim 7, wherein said sign attachment means comprises a pair of spaced apart generally aligned channels on of said frame member, said channels being generally U-shaped in lateral cross-section and being located on said frame 115 member so thatthe plane of said sign panel is generally perpendicular to said predetermined plane when a portion of said cross-brace is insertably secured between the leg portions of both of said U-shaped channels.

10. A stand according to claim 9, wherein said sign attachment means includes means for permit ting said sign panel to pivotally swing laterally about a generally vertical axis in response to second wind forces exerted generally parallel to the plane of said sign panel, said pivoted sign panel being orientated generally transverse relative to said second wind forces in orderto permit said frame memberto deflect generally along said predetermined plane.

11. A stand according to claim 10, wherein said cross-brace is generally vertically disposed with a portion thereof frictionally secured between said U-shaped channels, said cross-brace further being suff iciently flexible so that the unsecured portion thereof may resiliently and torsionally twist in order to allow said pivotally swinging lateral movement of said sign panel.

12. A sign stand according to claim 10, wherein said cross-brace is generally vertically disposed, the leg portions of each of said U-shaped channels being sufficiently spaced from one another so that said crossbrace is allowed to laterally pivot between said leg portions about a generally vertical axis in order to allow said pivotally swinging lateral movement of said sign panel.

13. A sign stand according to claim 12, further comprising a hitch pin member adapted to be inserted through an aperture in said cross-brace and through a corresponding aperture in said frame member in order to retain said cross-brace in said channels on said frame member.

14. A stand according to claim 10, wherein said cross-brace is generally vertically disposed, each of said U-shaped channels having a channel base portion with a generally arcuate surface thereon, said channels being adapted to receive said crossbrace therebetween in a frictional interfering engagement with said arcuate surfaces, said arcuate surfaces further being configured to allow said lateral pivotal movement of said cross-brace while in said frictional interfering engagement therewith in order to allow said pivotally swinging lateral movement of said sign panel.

15. A stand according to claim 14, wherein said sign attachment means comprises a pair of said channels on each of a pair of opposite sides of said frame member, said arcuate surfaces being located on said frame member so that the plane of said sign panel is generally perpendicular to said predeter- mined plane when said sign is attached to either of said sides of said frame member such that said cross-brace is midway in a position generally between the edges of the corresponding arcuate surfaces.

16. A sign and stand for displaying said sign, said sign including a sign panel composed of a foldable and flexible material and a pair of crossbraces for supporting said sign panel in a generally planar configuration, said cross-brace being pivotally interconnected for pivotal relative movement between a first position generally aligned and parallel with one another and a second position generally perpendicular to one another for supporting said sign panel in said generally planar configuration, said stand including a stand base assembly, and an upstanding frame member secured to said stand base assembly, said stand base assembly including a plurality of outwardly and inwardly telescoping legs, each of said legs further being pivotable between a first position generally parallel and adjacentto said frame member and a second position generally perpenclicularto said frame member, said frame member including a pair of spaced-apart channels on each of two opposite sides thereof, each pair of said channels having a generally U-shaped i ]p 7 r i 7 GB 2 130 417 A 7 lateral cross-section and being adapted to receive said portion of one of said cross-braces therebe tween when said cross-braces are in said second position.

17. A sign and stand according to claim 16, 70 wherein said stand base assembly further includes spring means for normally supporting said frame member in a generally vertical position, said spring means resiliently permitting said frame member to deflect relative to said stand base assembly general ly along a predetermined plane, said U-shaped channels on each of said opposite sides of said frame member are located and configured such that the plane of said sign panel is generally perpendicu lar to said predetermined plane when said sign is displayed on either of said opposite sides of said frame member, said deflection of said frame mem ber occurring in response to firstforces exerted generally transverse to the plane of said sign panel when said displayed on said frame member. 85

18. A sign and stand according to claim 17, wherein said U-shaped channels and said cross braces are configured to allow lateral pivotal swing ing movement of said sign panel about a generally vertical axis in response to second forces exerted generally parallel to the plane transverse relative to said second forces in order to cause said frame member to deflect generally along said predeter mined plane.

19. A sign and stand according to claim 18, wherein said telescoping legs include detent means for releasably holding said legs in an outwardly telescoped positions.

20. A sign and stand according to claim 19, wherein said frame member and said stand base assembly have a combined overall length approximately equal to the length of said inwardly telescoped legs when said legs are pivoted to said first position generally parallel and adjacent to said frame member.

21. A sign and stand according to claim 20, wherein said frame member is extruded from aluminum, said U-shaped channels being extruded integrallytherewith.

22. A sign and stand for displaying said sign, said sign having a sign panel supported in a planar configuration at least one cross-brace, said one cross-brace being disposed in a generally vertical position, said stand including an upstanding frame member supported by a base assembly and ground- 115 engaging means, means for attaching said crossbrace to said frame member such that a portion of said cross-brace is secured to said frame member and the remaining portion of said cross-brace is unsecured by said frame member, said base assembly including spring means for normally supporting said frame member in a generally vertical position, said spring means resiliently permitting said frame memberto deflect relative to said stand base generally along a predetermined plane in response to firstforces exerted generally transverse to the plane of said sign panel when said sign is displayed on said frame member, said cross-brace being sufficiently flexible that the unsecured portion of said cross-brace may be resiliently and torsionally twisted to allow said sign panel to pivotally swing laterally relative to a generally vertical axis in response to second forces exerted generally parallel to the plane of said sign panel, said pivoted sign panel being oriented generally transverse relative to said second forces in order to cause said frame member to deflect along said predetermined plane.

23. A sign and stand according to claim 22, further comprising a hitch pin member adapted to be inserted through an aperture in said cross-brace and through a corresponding aperture in said frame member in order to retain said cross- brace in said attached relationship with said frame member.

24. A sign and stand for displaying said sign, said sign having a sign panel supported in a planar configuration at least one cross-brace, said one cross-brace being disposed in a generally vertical position, said stand including an upstanding frame member supported by a base assembly and groundengaging means, channel means on said frame member for attachably receiving said cross-brace therein, said base assembly including spring means for normally supporting said frame member in a generally vertical position, said spring means resi- Hently permitting said frame member to deflect relative to said stand base generally along a predetermined plane in response to first forces exerted generally transverse to the plane of said sign panel when said is displayed on said frame member, said channel means including means for permitting said cross-brace and said sign panel to pivotally swing laterally relative to a generally vertical axis in response to second forces exerted generally parallel to the plane of said sign panel, said pivoted sign panel being oriented generally transverse relative to said second forces in order to cause said frame member to deflect along said predetermined plane.

25. A sign and stand according to claim 22, further comprising a hitch pin member adapted to be inserted through an aperture in said cross-brace and through a corresponding aperture in said frame member in order to retain said cross- brace in said channel means.

26. A sign and stand assembly constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

27. A stand for displaying a sign, said stand being constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, by Croydon Printing Company Limited, Croydon, Surrey, 1984.

Published by The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.